Love animals? Help out at the San Diego Humane Society. | Photo via San Diego Humane Society
Today is Sept. 11, a day to honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. It’s also a Day of Service nationwide, so consider donating to the 9/11 National Day of Service, which helps fund meal packs for Americans in need — or volunteering your time locally.
To help get you started, here are 30+ great causes in San Diego to support with your time.
Animal lovers
San Diego Humane Society | Support the daily care of shelter animals, foster a pet, or help with community engagement.
Good neighbors
Meals on Wheels | Deliver meals — and human connection — to seniors across the county, many of whom are isolated or homebound.
The outdoorsy types
I Love a Clean San Diego | Join monthly cleanup events and help keep San Diego beautiful via this organization, which has been around since 1954. The 41st annual Coastal Cleanup Day is on Saturday, Sept. 20; register to help.
Natural-born teachers + mentors
Reality Changers | Tutor students in grades 8-12 and help them achieve their goal of going to college.
San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies | Thursday, Sept. 11-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Times vary | Petco Park | $27+ | Bark at the Park (Sept. 11), BeerFest (Sept. 12), Healthcare Appreciation Night (Sept. 13), and KidsFest (Sept. 14) await at the jam-packed, four-game home series.
Mavis Staples + Gaby Moreno | 7:30 p.m. | Belly Up, Solana Beach | $85 | Legends on legends — the R&B icon known for hits like “I’ll Take You There” performs with the Grammy-winning Guatemalan singer-songwriter.
Friday, Sept. 12
Punches in the Piazza: Fight Night for Charity | 5:30-10 p.m. | Piazza della Famiglia | $55 | The Bobby D. Foundation hosts an action-packed evening of boxing in the heart of Little Italy for a good cause.
Saturday, Sept. 13
2025 OMBAC Classic Longboard Surfing Contest | 7 a.m. | Crystal Pier | Free | Watch classic longboard surfers of all skills hit the waves with their vintage boards from 1969 or older; if you want to enter the contest, registration costs $40.
Move with Love: Wellness Fair | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | North Park Mini Park | Free | Find balance with guided yoga classes, browse a self-care marketplace, and grab snacks from plant-based food vendors at this donation-based experience.
Del Mar Wine and Food Festival: Grand Tasting | Saturday, Sept. 13-Sunday, Sept. 14 | 1-4 p.m. | Surf Sports Park, Del Mar | $305+ | The star-studded celebration culminates with this showcase of the best pours + bites from local chefs and restaurants.
CelebraciĂłn Mexicana | 5-8 p.m. | Shiley Theatre | $24 | Ballet Folklorico San Diego Dance Company will be accompanied by Mariachi Real de San Diego.
Sunday, Sept. 14
San Diego Restaurant Week | Sunday, Sept. 14-Sunday, Sept. 21 | 8 a.m. | San Diego | $30+| The fall edition of the foodie event returns with 100+ local restaurants across 30 neighborhoods offering prix fixe lunch + dinner menus.
Vista’s Fiestas Patrias | 12-3 p.m. | Linda Rhoades Community Center, Vista | Free | Live entertainment, a play zone for the kids, a soccer tournament, and food vendors will fill this vibrant celebration of Hispanic heritage and Mexico’s Independence Day.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
Samia: “The Bloodless Tour” | 8 p.m. | Music Box | $24 | Fun Fact: This indie singer has some cool celebrity roots — her parents are actors Kathy Najimi and Dan Finnerty.
Want to reach San Diego locals? Here’s the easiest way to advertise right now
Graphic by 6AM City
Let’s be honest: advertising can feel like a lot.
Back-and-forth meetings and a whole lot of waiting just to get your advertising efforts started. That’s exactly why we built the 6AM City Self-Service Ad Portal: a refreshingly simple way to get your brand in front of thousands of engaged San Diego readers — on your time, your terms, and without the usual slowdown.
Whether you’re a small business looking for a quick awareness boost or a growing brand ready to dive into a new market, our portal is here to help you connect with the community, minus the fuss.
The Joan has arrived and she’s ready for her close-up.
Photo via Karli Cadel
Open
It’s showtime.The Joan — the new home of Cygnet Theatre — is now open at Liberty Station. The $43.5 million performing arts venue features two stages: the 282-seat Joseph Clayes III Theater and 150-seat Dorothea Laub Studio Theater. Its debut 2025-2026 season is underway with a production of “Follies.”
Civic
City council is reconsidering the city’s plan to add parking meters around Balboa Park, saying the idea needs further review. Meanwhile, SD’s plan to charge for parking at the San Diego Zoo lot is moving forward. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said parking will remain free for zoo members. (NBC 7 + FOX5)
Coming Soon
San Diego’s celebrity restaurants scene is growing. Actor Mark Wahlberg plans to open Flecha Cantina at the former site of Miguel’s Cocina at the 4S Commons Town Center in 4S Ranch next year. Wahlberg’s restaurant has locations in Huntington Beach and Las Vegas, too. (FOX5)
Civic
City council approved the Coastal Resilience Master Plan focused on implementing flooding + erosion solutions for popular coastal spots. Six pilot sites were chosen for initial engineering, including Sunset Cliffs. The plan to combat erosion includes possibly removing parking on the cliffs and changing the traffic flow on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. (CBS8)
Development
Don’t forget: San Diego International Airport will host a community open house this Sunday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at its new Terminal 1. Phase 1 of the $3.8 billion New T1 project officially debuts on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The old Terminal 1 will permanently close and be demolished.
Try This
Visit Total Wine & More in Mission Valley tomorrow, Sept. 12, 5-6 p.m., to catch a glimpse of Guy Fieri signing tequila bottles of his Santo Spirits brand. We already know the TV host and chef loves San Diego — any “Triple DDD” chattershould break the ice.
What a moment.
Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
Sports
The Padres’ walk-off in the 10th against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park this week was epic (see photographic evidence above). Is SD’s push for the playoffs back on track? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the San Diego Padreswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Travel
After filing for bankruptcy, Spirit Airlines plans to discontinue service on Thursday, Oct. 2 at a dozen airports, including San Diego International Airport. The budget airline said travelers with existing reservations will be notified about their options, including refunds. (KCRA)
Weather
With elevated wildfire risks in SoCal, city officials put together these preparedness tips for San Diegans. This includes creating a family emergency plan, packing a “go bag” with essential supplies, and signing up for notifications via AlertSanDiego.
Announced
Pro golf fans, this one’s fore you. Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open. The prestigious PGA Tour tournament will take over San Diego’s scenic Torrey Pines Golf Course from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, 2026.
The Word
Equity. It’s the difference between your home’s current market value and what you still owe on your mortgage. Want to make it grow? Here’s how.*
Plan Ahead
Don’t let your seasonal event get lost in oversaturated community calendars. Feature it right here in SDtoday + get primo placement in front of our 20,800+ engaged subscribers. Get started.
Finance
If you owe more than $10,000 in debt, Freedom Debt Relief could help by offering a personalized debt settlement plan and negotiating with creditors to reduce the amount owed. Start tackling your debt.*
Alex Morgan’s legacy in San Diego is here to stay.
The San Diego Wave FC retired the soccer superstar’s No. 13 jersey at Snapdragon Stadium last weekend, and her heartfelt speech was one for the books. Just look at those images.
Morgan talked about “the ebbs and flows, the highs and lows” of her professional career, including the three “most transformative” years she spent launching + leading the Wave. Now, her number will live on the walls of Snapdragon Stadium, “etched in history forever.”
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Speaking of local legends, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur retired from her incredible, decades-long career earlier this month. The veteran of two spaceflights logged 213 days in space and was the last person to touch the Hubble Space Telescope — with the space shuttle’s robotic arm, that is.
Did you know? McArthur is one of several NASA superstars with connections to San Diego. We think our city has a special gravitational pull, that’s for sure.
}})
}})
